Crosier Fathers and Brothers / Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross

33 Accused in This Religious Order

Fr. Matthew P. Chernick

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Order: OSC
Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Died: 06/20/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Named publicly as accused by the Crosier Order on its list 12/6/2023. Leave of absence 1967-1969. Dispensed from the priesthood 1/4/1969. Died 6/20/2014. Allegation received after Chernick's death.

Sources:

Crosiers List 12.06.23

Fr. Timothy C. Conlon

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Order: OSC
Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Fargo ND

Removed from two AZ parishes by the Gallup Diocese 1/27/2014 after two credible allegations were received from the Fargo ND diocese regarding abuse prior to ordination. Conlon was a Crosier brother at the time in question. Had been working in the Gallup diocese since 11/2011 and was in the process of becoming incardinated. Also worked in MN, NY, NE and Phoenix, AZ. Name included on the 3/8/2014 Crosier list. Included on the Gallup diocese's list of credibly accused. On Fargo's list 1/2/2020. On the Phoenix diocese's list. On the Duluth diocese's list in 3/2024, where he was assigned to a parish for a Deacon internship 1978-1979. Per the Crosiers' list in 12/2023, Conlon may be deceased.

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Fr. Cornelius DeVenster

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1933
Status: Accused

Died: 12/25/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

From the Netherlands. Started working in the U.S. in 1934. Assigned in NE, MN, NY, IN and OH. Name is included on the 3/8/2014 updated list of current, former and deceased Crosiers with one or more credible claims of the sexual abuse of minors. Died 12/25/1988. Allegation made at some point after his death. No information as to where abuse is alleged to have occurred.

Assignments:

Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Fr. Neil J. Emon

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Died: 07/28/2019
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Worked in NE, MI and MN before moving to Phoenix in 2000. Admitted in 1991 to abusing boys in the early- to mid-1970s in Onamia, MN. Removed without privileges in 5/2002 after additional information was received. Had been working under restrictions for some time; Phoenix knew of his history when he arrived. Name also appeared on list of Phoenix priests complied by the Arizona Republic. As of 2014, was living under a safety plan in Phoenix. Included on the Crosier's list 2/8/2014. Added to the St. Cloud diocese's list 3/14/2014. Included on the Detroit archdiocese's list 6/10/2019. Died 7/28/2019.

Br. Roman Fleischhacker

Order: OSC
Status: Accused

Died: 09/14/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Named publicly as accused by the Crosier Order on its list 12/6/2023. Professed vows in 1949. Assigned to Crosier Seminary in Onamia MN 1949-1985, Crosier Provincialate 1986-1987, Crosier Community of Hastings NE 1987-2000, Crosier Community of Onamia MN 2000 until his death 9/14/2013. Allegation received after his death. No information as to when or where alleged abuse occurred.

Assignments:

Crosier List 12.06.23

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Fr. Francis (Frank)Trenkenschuh

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Died: 03/27/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Named publicly as accused by the Crosier Order on its list 12/6/2023. Worked in IN and CO. Lived and worked among the Asmat indigenous people in Irian Jaya in New Guinea, Indonesia 1967-1996. Adopted and raised an Asmat boy from infancy. Trenkenschuh died 3/27/1998 at age 59. Allegation noted to have been received after his death.

Assignments:

Crosiers List 12.06.23

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Fr. Gerald Funcheon

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1965
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

Worked in MN, NE, IN, FL, HI, CA, SO, TX. Banned from IN for "planning" to molest. Suit filed in 9/2003 claiming abuse in the 1970s in MN. A second person alleged abuse in the late 1970s, given $30K for counseling. Allegations while Air Force chaplain in HI 1982-1984 and Palma High in Salinas CA 1984-1985. Another suit in IN 2007. Three claims were in a 2/2009 settlement with the Crosiers in MN. Terminated from the order in 1987, incardinated in the Lafayette IN diocese the same year. Removed in 1993. Multiple new suits 2012-2013. Admitted to abuse of as many as 50. Six claims settled in a 5/2013 Christian Brothers settlement. Named on revised St. Paul and Minneapolis list 2/17/2014. Included on the Crosiers' list in 3/2014. Also assigned to the St. Cloud diocese. Two suits were filed in 11/2014 by five men claiming abuse, including sodomy, by Funcheon in the 1970s and 1980s, four of them in MN, one in CA. Removed from the priesthood, living at Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer MO as of 11/2014. Two suits were filed in 7/2015. Included on the Lafayette IN list 9/28/2018. Added to the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese's list in 11/2018.

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Br. Joseph (Dominic)Gleeson

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Order: OSC
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Named publicly as accused by the Crosier Order on its list 12/6/2023. Professed vows in 1953. Worked in NE, IN, MN, NY. Dispensed from vows 7/25/1965. Deceased when allegation received.

Assignments:

Crosiers List 12.06.23

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Crosiers List 12.06.23

Br. Gabriel Guerrero

Order: OSC
Status: Settled

Died: 12/5/2023
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Worked in MN, IN, NE, NY, AZ. Removed from work with minors in 1990. At least one claim included in a 2/2009 settlement with the Crosiers and nine accusers in MN. Accused of abuse of two 1973-1975. Assigned to Phoenix in 2000. Removed from public ministry in AZ in 2002, later placed under restrictions. Allegations were at least 15 years old. Name included on the Crosiers list released 3/8/2014, noting Guerrero was retired and living under a safety plan. Named in new suit in 7/2015. Per the Order's list in 12/2023, Guerrero died 12/5/2023.

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Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Br. Eugene Hambrock

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Order: OSC
Status: Accused

Died: 01/30/1999
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Worked in IN, NY, MN, and NE. Died 1/30/1999. Name is included on the 3/8/2014 updated list of current, former and deceased Crosiers with one or more credible claims against them of the sexual abuse of minors. No indication as to where Hambrock was working at the time of the alleged abuse or when allegations were received.

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Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Fr. Steven Henrich

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

Worked in IN, MN, NY, IL, MI, MD, AZ, and Rome Italy. Removed from public ministry in 1/2017 and placed on permanent restrictions due to allegations of "inappropriate touch of minors" occurring in the late 1970s in MN. Added to the Order's list the same month; noted to be living in Phoenix AZ under a safety plan. Added to the Phoenix Diocese's list, where he did administrative work for the Crosiers 2004-2009. Included on the Detroit Archdiocese's list 6/10/2019. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report; noted to have spent 1989-1990 at the Crosier Community in Chicago.

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Crosiers List 01.27.17

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Br. Thomas Johnson

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Order: OSC
Status: Accused

Died: 02/10/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Named publicly as accused by the Crosier Order on its list 12/6/2023. Made temporary vows in 1981. Assigned in the Crosier Community of Hastings NE 1981-1983, then in the Crosier Community in Chicago 1983-1984. Went on Leave of Absence in 1984 and religious vows expired. Noted on the list to have died 2/10/2018. Accused in a claim or claims after his death; no information as to when or where the alleged abuse occurred.

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Crosiers List 12.06.23

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Crosiers List 12.06.23

Fr. Lawrence Kerich

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1932
Status: Accused

Died: 04/5/1989
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Named publicly as accused by the Crosier Order on its list 12/6/2023. Worked in MN, IN, IL, FL. Died 4/5/1989. Allegation received after Kerich's death. No information as to when or where the alleged abuse occurred.

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Crosiers List 12.06.23

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Crosiers List 12.06.23

Fr. Joseph Lendacky

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Order: OSC
Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 05/31/1989
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Worked mostly in MN but some in NE. Most of his career was spent at the Crosier Community and Seminary in Onamia. Died 5/31/1989. Name is included on 3/8/2014 updated list of current, former and deceased Crosiers with one or more credible claims against them of the sexual abuse of minors. Allegation noted to have been received after Lendacky's death.

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Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Br. Gregory Madigan

Order: OSC
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Alleged to have molested at least six boys in the 1960s and 1970s. Confronted by parents in the mid-1970s; agreed to seek treatment. Admitted abuse of a 14-year-old boy in the 1980s at a Crosier minor seminary in MN. The Crosiers reached a monetary settlement with the victim when he came forward in 1988. Madigan was sent for treatment. At least one claim was included in a $1.7M settlement in 2/2009 with the Crosiers and nine accusers in MN. Retired and living under safety plan in Phoenix in 3/2014. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Fr. Bruce C. Maxwell

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Died: 02/17/2006
Diocese: Archdiocese of Detroit MI

Worked in Indiana in 1975, Nebraska 1975-1982, Detroit 1983-1989. Navy chaplain 1989-2002, working in California, Bahrain, Florida, Japan and North Carolina. Removed in 2002 for the sexual abuse of a minor. Sent to the Crosier Community in Phoenix with no ministry. Died 2/17/2006. Included on the Crosiers list in 3/2014. On the Santa Rosa diocese's list 1/12/2019. Was USCG Training Center chaplain in Petaluma and in residence at St. James 1989-1992. On the Detroit archdiocese's list of credibly accused 6/10/2019.

Assignments:

Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Br. Ron Melancon

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Order: OSC
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Professed first vows in 12/1972. Spent most of his short career with the Order at the Crosier Seminary in Onamia. Name is included on the 3/8/2014 updated list of current, former and deceased Crosiers with one or more credible claims against them of the sexual abuse of minors. Left the Order in 1980 and was dispensed from vows 9/21/1989. Living in 2014 in Louisiana. Was not a member of the Order at the time the allegation was made.

Assignments:

Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Fr. James Moeglein

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Died: 01/21/2023
Diocese: Archdiocese of Detroit MI

In 2002 Moeglein was one of eight Crosiers barred from public ministry and living under restriction after allegations of sexual misconduct. He worked in the Riverview, MI area 1989-1990. One 2000 news article refers to Moeglein as prior of a Crosier Monastery in NE until mid-2000. Living in a Crosier Community in Onamia MN beginning in 2000. No faculties since 6/2002 and as of 2014 was living under safety plan. Named as credibly accused by the Diocese of St. Cloud in 3/2014. Name added 11/2017 to the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese's list of "priests and religious brothers who have served or spent time in the archdiocese and have substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor against them." Included on the Detroit Archdiocese's list of credibly accused 6/10/2019. Per the Order's list in 12/2023 Moeglin died 1/21/23.

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Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Br. Wendell J. Mohs

Order: OSC
Status: Settled

Died: 12/18/2018
Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

First profession in 1974. Former recruiter for the Crosiers. Left Order 11/1/1982. Dispensed from vows 9/17/87. Went on to marry and raise a family. A 4/2006 lawsuit alleged abuse by Mohs of a youth 1980-1983. A second suit was filed in 5/2006. The 4/2006 plaintiff settled in 2/2009 for $1.2M (part of larger $1.7M settlement by 9 accusers against Crosier Order and several priests). Mohs claimed that he himself was abused by at least one member of the Order in 1964. Per the Crosiers' list in 3/2014, Mohs was not a member of the Order at the time of the allegation; this conflicts with previous information. Included in 10/2014 on the St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocese's list of credibly accused. Named in a 7/2015 lawsuit. Mohs died 12/18/2018.

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Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Fr. Thomas O’Brien

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Order: OSC
Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Died: 01/17/2022
Diocese: Archdiocese of Detroit MI

Limited interaction with minors as of 1989. Removed from public ministry 10/4/2002 for abuse of a minor. Worked in Riverview MI 1989-1994. May also have abused in St. Paul, MN area where he worked 1994-2001. Lived under restrictions, performing internal administrative duties for the Crosier Generalate in Rome 1999-2007. Dismissed from the Order 8/5/2008. Living in Ohio as of 3/2014. Name added 11/3/2017 to the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese's list of "priests and religious brothers who have served or spent time in the archdiocese and have substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor against them." Included on the Detroit Archdiocese's list 6/10/2019. Per the Order's list in 12/2023, O'Brien died 1/17/2022.

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Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Fr. Richard N. Ohlemacher

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 07/29/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Taught at Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Wawasee IN for 16 years, and at Crosier Seminary in Onamia, MN for three years. Moved to Phoenix in 1987. Helped out at area churches after retirement in 1992. One of 8 Crosier priests removed from public ministry in 2002 due to abuse allegations. Alleged incident at least 15 years prior. Member of Crosier Community of Phoenix until his death 7/29/2005.

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Fr. Kenneth M. Opat

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1969
Status: Sued

Died: 04/6/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Faculty member, registrar, vice-rector, counselor and facilities director at Crosier Seminary in Onamia MN 1969-1986. In Minneapolis 1986-1994 as provincial treasurer. Superior of Anoka MN Crosier Community 1993-2000. Founder of Central MN Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) Program in Andover MN, involved 1978-2008. Died 4/6/2011. The Crosiers released a statement 5/4/2016 that Opat was accused in a lawsuit of the sexual abuse of a minor. As of 6/7/2017 Opat's name was not included on the Crosiers' list of credibly accused clerics, published 1/27/2017. Included on the Orders 12/6/2023 list, noting that the allegation surfaced after Opat's death, so it could not be investigated.

Assignments:

St. Cloud Times 04.08.11

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Fr. Michael Paquet

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Order: OSC
Ordained: 1978
Status: Accused

Died: 08/21/2021
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Worked in MN and IN. Removed from ministry 11/18/2002 and dismissed from his Order 9/16/2005. Name included on the 3/8/2014 updated list of current, former and deceased Crosiers with one or more credible claims against them of the sexual abuse of minors. No information provided as to where he was assigned when abuse is alleged to have occurred. Director of Fort Wayne IN diocesan Retreat Center Retreat 1979-1985, and youth minister. Living in Canada in 2014. Name added 11/3/2017 to the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese's list. Name included on the Ft. Wayne-South Bend diocese's list in 10/2018. Per the Crosiers' list in 12/2023, Paquet died 8/21/2021.

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Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Fr. Jerome Plourde

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Order: OSC
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 10/23/1984
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Named publicly as accused by the Crosier Order on its list 12/6/2023. Worked in NE, IN, MN, IN, NY. Took leave of absence in 1978. Died 10/23/1984. Allegation received after Plourde's death. No information as to when or where the alleged abuse occurred.

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Crosiers List 12.06.23

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Crosiers List 12.06.23

Fr. Gregory H. Poser

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1975
Status: Indicted

Died: 03/5/2024
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Suspended from ministry in 5/2016 after the Diocese received a report that Poser sexually abused a girl on one occasion in the 1970s, while assigned to St. Odilia in Shoreview. Poser denied the allegation. The Diocese informed law enforcement. No criminal charges. The Crosiers' Review Board determined that there was not sufficient evidence to substantiate misconduct. The Order announced on 8/30/2017 that Poser would be reinstated. He died 3/5/2024.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Anthony Salzbrunn

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 05/11/1999
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Named publicly as accused by the Crosier Order on its list 12/6/2023. Worked in IN, MN, ND. Died 5/11/1999. Allegation noted to have been received after Salzbrunn's death. No information as to when or where the alleged abuse occured.

Assignments:

Crosiers List 12.06.23

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Br. Anton Schik

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Order: OSC
Status: Accused

Died: 12/22/1971
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Also known as Anthony or Tony. Worked at Crosier Seminary and Monastery in Onamia, MN 1932-1948. Assigned to Wawasee Prep in Syracuse, IN from 1948 until he died 12/22/1971. Name included on the Crosiers' 3/8/2014 updated list of those current, former and deceased with one or more credible claims against them of the sexual abuse of minors. Schik was deceased by the time the allegation of abuse was made. No information as to when or where the abuse occurred.

Assignments:

Assignment Record Released by Crosier Order 03.08.14

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Fr. Urban Schmitt

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 07/20/1999
Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

Worked in IN, NE and MN. In 1994 Schmitt admitted to sexually abusing a girl in 1969. Sent to St. Luke's Institute for evaluation. Early retirement in 1994; continued to work part-time in NE for several years. Died 7/20/1999. Name is included on the 3/8/2014 updated list of current, former and deceased Crosiers with one or more credible claims against them of the sexual abuse of minors. Name added 11/3/2017 to the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese's list of "priests and religious brothers who have served or spent time in the archdiocese and have substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor against them." Included on the Duluth diocese's list 3/28/24, where he was assigned 1964-1966.

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Fr. Aloysius Steines

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1938
Status: Accused

Died: 06/25/1950
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Named publicly as accused by the Crosier Order on its list 12/6/2023. Worked in IN, MN. Died 6/25/1950, age 38. Allegation noted to have been received after Steines' death.

Assignments:

Crosiers List 12.06.23

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Fr. Roger Vaughn

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1977
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Dismissed from the Crosiers 9/27/2001. As part of a 2/2009 settlement, the Order admitted that it had received credible allegations of child sex abuse committed by Vaughn. (None of the plaintiffs in the 2/2009 settlement was an alleged victim of Vaughn.) As of 3/2010 Vaughn was at an Orthodox-Catholic Church of America Parish in New York. Name included on list of credibly accused priests released the by Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis 12/5/2013; the Archdiocese denied any claims of abuse of minors within the Archdiocese. Name on St. Cloud's list of 1/3/2014 and Crosier list of 3/8/2014. Named in suit filed in 7/2015. Included in 10/2022 on the Chicago Archdiocese's list of credibly accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. James A. Vedro

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Died: 04/13/2015
Diocese: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN

Assigned in NE, MN, IN, MI. Removed from ministry in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis in 1991 for "misconduct" with adults. Accepted into the Archdiocese of Detroit by Archbishop Maida, who had been informed by the Crosiers of the allegations. After the Dallas Bishops' conference in 2002, Vedro was removed from active ministry and sent to a Crosier facility. He left the order in 2008. Name added in 10/2014 to the St. Paul and Minneapolis list of those with substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor occurring outside of the archdiocese. Died 4/13/2015. Included on the Crosier Order's list 12/6/2023, which notes that allegations received after Vedros' death could not be investigated.

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Fr. John Vincent

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Order: OSC
Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 1/20 under the NY Child Victims Act of sexually abusing a boy, age 15 or 16, in the late 1960s. The boy was an Archbishop Stepinac High School student, where Vincent was assigned 1966-72. Per the lawsuit, Vincent "sat on [the boy's] lap, touched him and made 'sexual contact' in front of other students." The Crosier Review Committee determined that it did "not believe this accusation fits the definition of sexual abuse of a minor as stated by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men."

Assignments:

Crosiers 02.25.20

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Fr. Justin K. Weger

Order: OSC
Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 01/15/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Saint Cloud MN

Worked in MN 1953-1972, IN 1973-1974 and in Phoenix and Tucson until 1976. Removed from ministry without faculties in 1976. Director of Tribal Lodge 1977-2002. Weger and 7 other Crosiers were removed in 10/2002 for past abuse of minors. Per summary report of 2002 third party investigation of Crosiers, Weger, who was retired and living in Phoenix, would be living under restriction at a long-term care senior housing facility. He died 01/15/2005. Included on the Crosiers' list in 3/2014. On the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis list of credibly accused 05/22/2014. Added to the Gallup diocese's list 12/10/2018 (it encompassed Phoenix until the Diocese of Phoenix was established in 1969.) Included on the St. Cloud diocese's list.

Crosier Fathers and Brothers / Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross – OSC

33 Accused in This Religious Order

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